MYRModel Year Report

2018 Acura MDX

◆ Worse than typical
2018 Acura MDX
RENDERED 2026-11-01T12:04:00.250Z

This year had 30% to 100% more complaints than this model's typical year.

This verdict reflects complaint volume compared to this model's typical year. Recalls and safety issues below apply regardless of the verdict — always check them.

How is this computed?

Complaints
168
Recalls
10

Campaigns on file for 2018

Investigations
3

Opened by NHTSA

Top problem
Forward collision avoidance

22% of complaints

Complaints per year

2001: 224 complaints 2001 2002: 205 complaints 2003: 206 complaints 2004: 171 complaints 2005: 180 complaints 2005 2006: 87 complaints 2007: 99 complaints 2008: 49 complaints 2009: 52 complaints 2009 2010: 45 complaints 2011: 70 complaints 2012: 76 complaints 2013: 30 complaints 2013 2014: 170 complaints 2015: 71 complaints 2016: 375 complaints 2017: 260 complaints 2018: 168 complaints 2018 168 2019: 189 complaints 2020: 223 complaints 2021: 0 complaints 2021 2022: 159 complaints 2023: 44 complaints 2024: 40 complaints 2025: 115 complaints 2025 2026: 8 complaints
2001: 224 complaints 2001 2002: 205 complaints 2003: 206 complaints 2003 2004: 171 complaints 2005: 180 complaints 2005 2006: 87 complaints 2007: 99 complaints 2007 2008: 49 complaints 2009: 52 complaints 2009 2010: 45 complaints 2011: 70 complaints 2011 2012: 76 complaints 2013: 30 complaints 2013 2014: 170 complaints 2015: 71 complaints 2015 2016: 375 complaints 2017: 260 complaints 2018: 168 complaints 2018 168 2019: 189 complaints 2020: 223 complaints 2021: 0 complaints 2021 2022: 159 complaints 2023: 44 complaints 2023 2024: 40 complaints 2025: 115 complaints 2025 2026: 8 complaints
2001: 224 complaints 2001 2002: 205 complaints 2003: 206 complaints 2003 2004: 171 complaints 2005: 180 complaints 2005 2006: 87 complaints 2007: 99 complaints 2007 2008: 49 complaints 2009: 52 complaints 2009 2010: 45 complaints 2011: 70 complaints 2011 2012: 76 complaints 2013: 30 complaints 2013 2014: 170 complaints 2015: 71 complaints 2015 2016: 375 complaints 2017: 260 complaints 2017 2018: 168 complaints 2018 168 2019: 189 complaints 2019 2020: 223 complaints 2021: 0 complaints 2021 2022: 159 complaints 2023: 44 complaints 2023 2024: 40 complaints 2025: 115 complaints 2025 2026: 8 complaints

2018: 168 complaints

View as data table
YearComplaints
2001224
2002205
2003206
2004171
2005180
200687
200799
200849
200952
201045
201170
201276
201330
2014170
201571
2016375
2017260
2018168
2019189
2020223
20210
2022159
202344
202440
2025115
20268

Known problem areas

Percentages can add to more than 100% — a complaint can name more than one system.

Forward collision avoidance

22% · 37 reports

Most commonly citing warnings and adaptive cruise control.

Show complaint excerpts

The vehicle was being driven and the dashboard was lit up with all the systems in error related to ACC (Adaptive Cruise Control)

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-09-14

SUPPLEMENTAL — REFERENCE ODI 11742372 Follow-up to ODI 11742372, 2018 Acura MDX, VIN 5J8YD3H33JL******. Intermittent multipurpose camera failure, DTC U3000-49, causing simultaneous loss of CMBS, ACC, LKAS, and RDM.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-21

Engine

21% · 35 reports
CRASHFIREINJURY
Show complaint excerpts

The contact owned a 2018 Acura MDX. The contact stated that while the vehicle was parked in a garage there was a sudden odor of smoke.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-04-19

Transmission failed and light appeared. Speed reduced from 30 to 15. Acura stated they had to reset computer system and claimed when they started the car no lights shown and was able to reverse car.

NHTSA ODI report, 2026-07-10

Also filed under Electrical system and power train

Fuel/propulsion system

17% · 28 reports
CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

My vehicle was parked under my car port immediately after returning from the grocery store. As I was unloading the car I saw and smelled smoke which then erupted into a fire coming from the engine compartment.

NHTSA ODI report, 2020-03-22

Also filed under Structure

Electrical system

16% · 27 reports

Most commonly citing speedometer/odometer.

CRASHFIRE
Show complaint excerpts

Fire under the hood of my 2018 MDX - caused by weak battery and overloaded starter. My car was parked in the garage right under my daughter’s bedroom.

NHTSA ODI report, 2024-01-09

Lane departure

14% · 24 reports

Most commonly citing assist and warning.

Safety timeline

10 recalls · 3 investigations · oldest first

To check one car, enter its VIN on the NHTSA recall page. Check a VIN →

  1. ▮
    2018Complaint volume 168 complaints filed for this model year.
  2. R
    2018-05-30Seats18V221000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018 Honda Pilot and Ridgeline vehicles and 2018 Acura MDX vehicles.

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will replace the driver seat frame assembly in Acura MDX vehicles, and replace the driver and front passenger seat slide rail frames in Honda Pilot and Ridgeline vehicles, free of charge.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  3. R
    2018-12-11Service brakes, hydraulic18V777000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2017-2019 Acura MDX, 2017-2018 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid, 2018-2019 Honda HR-V and Honda Odyssey, and 2016 Honda HR-V vehicles.

    Remedy: Owners will be notified, and Honda or Acura dealers will bleed the brakes, free of charge. The recall began December 11, 2018. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are C31 and L30.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  4. R
    2019-03-25Fuel system, other19V060000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2016-2018 Acura MDX, 2015-2019 Acura TLX and 2015-2017 Honda Accord vehicles, equipped with a 3.5L V6 engine.

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will update the fuel injection engine control unit (FI-ECU) software and, if necessary, replace the fuel pump, free of charge. The recall began March 25, 2019.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  5. R
    2019-05-07Exterior lighting19V256000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2019 Acura MDX and 2017-2019 Acura MDX Sport Hybrid vehicles. Moisture may enter the tailgate lid lights, possibly causing a loss of the tailgate lid lights and the taillights.

    Remedy: Acura will notify owners, and dealers will modify the tailgate lid lights and install updated gaskets and a wiring sub-harness or will replace both tailgate lid lights. The repairs will be performed free of charge. The recall began May 7, 2019.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  6. R
    2019-06-07Engine and engine cooling19V298000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2019 Acura MDX and Honda Pilot vehicles and 2019 Acura RLX, RLX Sport Hybrid, TLX and Honda Odyssey and Ridgeline vehicles. The timing belt teeth may separate from the belt.

    Remedy: Honda will notify owners, and dealers will inspect the vehicle and replace any affected timing belt free of charge.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  7. R
    2024-03-28Engine and engine cooling23V751000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2015-2020 Acura TLX, 2016-2020 Acura MDX, 2016 and 2018-2019 Pilot, 2017 and 2019 Ridgeline, and 2018-2019 Odyssey vehicles.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect and repair, or replace the engine as necessary, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed March 28, 2024. 2016-2017 Acura MDX owner letters were mailed November 1, 2024.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  8. R
    2024-03-29Fuel system, gasoline23V858000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2013-2023 Honda Accord, Civic Coupe, Civic Sedan, Civic Hatchback, Civic Type R, CR-V, HR-V, Ridgeline, Odyssey, Acura ILX, MDX, MDX Hybrid, RDX, RLX, TLX, 2019-2022 Honda Insight, Passport, 2020...

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the fuel pump module, free of charge. Owner letters were mailed September 6, 2024. Owners may contact Honda customer service at 1-888-234-2138. Honda's numbers for this recall are KGC and KGD.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  9. I
    2024-11-08Recall queryClosed 2025-08-20 Engine failure
  10. I
    2025-03-26Engineering analysisOpen No Restart After Auto Start/Stop Engages
  11. R
    2025-05-28Exterior lighting, interior lighting25V259000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles.

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the wiring and install a fuse harness, replace the lid light, and repair the body dust sealer, as necessary, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed May 30, 2025.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  12. I
    2025-08-20Preliminary evaluationOpen Engine failure
  13. R
    2026-07-06Air bags26V332000 Honda (American Honda Motor Co.) is recalling certain 2018-2021, 2023 Acura TLX, 2019-2024 RDX, 2017-2020, 2022-2026 MDX, 2017-2021, 2023, 2025 Honda Ridgeline, 2017-2022 Pilot, 2019-2021 Passport, 2018-2026 Odyssey, 2019-2022 Insight, 2019-2021...

    Remedy: Dealers will replace the seat weight sensors, free of charge. Owner notification letters were mailed July 7, 2026. Owners may contact Honda's customer service at 1-888-234-2138.

    Check if this car was fixed →

  14. R
    Date not on fileStructure, suspension26V365000 American Honda Motor Company (Honda) is recalling certain 2016-2022 Honda Pilot, 2017-2023 Ridgeline, 2019-2023 Passport, and 2014-2020 Acura MDX vehicles that were sold in Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,...

    Remedy: Dealers will inspect the rear subframe and install a rear subframe reinforcement kit and, as necessary, repair or replace the rear subframe components, free of charge. Owner notification letters are expected to be mailed July 7, 2026.

    Check if this car was fixed →

Buy-smart checklist

2018 Acura MDX — pre-purchase inspection

Inspect

  • Forward collision avoidance: 37 reports on file for this year.
  • Engine: 35 reports on file for this year.
  • Fuel/propulsion system: 28 reports on file for this year.

Verify these recalls were completed

  • Recall 26V365000 · Structure, suspension
  • Recall 18V221000 · Seats
  • Recall 18V777000 · Service brakes, hydraulic
  • Recall 19V060000 · Fuel system, other
  • Recall 19V256000 · Exterior lighting
  • Recall 19V298000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 23V751000 · Engine and engine cooling
  • Recall 23V858000 · Fuel system, gasoline
  • Recall 25V259000 · Exterior lighting, interior lighting
  • Recall 26V332000 · Air bags
Inspected by ______________ Date ______________

Other years of this model

See all years ranked →

Best years3 years

Worst years3 years

FAQ

Is the 2018 Acura MDX reliable?
Based on NHTSA complaint volume compared to this model's typical year, the 2018 Acura MDX is rated "worse than typical".
What are the most common problems with the 2018 Acura MDX?
The most-reported component is forward collision avoidance, accounting for 22% of complaints on file.
How many recalls does the 2018 Acura MDX have?
10 recalls on file for this model year.

Data updated 2026-10-31 · Complaints are unverified owner reports filed with NHTSA, not independently verified defects. Methodology.